2 Afghan security members die in explosion in northern province

SHIBRGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two members of Afghan security forces were killed and four others were wounded Saturday when a bomb hit their mobile in the country's northern province of Jawzjan, the provincial police chief said.

"Two members of National Security Directorate (NDS) died and four others were wounded when their vehicle touched off a roadside planted bomb in Khwaja Buran, an area outside provincial capital at around 3:30 p.m. local time," Abdul Aziz Khirat told Xinhua, blaming Taliban insurgents for the attack.

He said the NDS or intelligence service unit was in a routine patrol with police forces when the blast took place in the province 390 km north of Afghan capital Kabul.

The Taliban has been waging an insurgency since its regime was toppled by a U.S-led invasion in late 2001.